In the next 4-6 weeks I will be getting my new rims. I'm going 18 x 8.5 all around (so I can rotate them). I was wondering what kinda tires I should get and at what size!!?? Nitto, Dunlop, Yokohama?? 235/40, 245/40, 255/40??

For the tires I was lookin at:
Nitto 555
Dunlop SP9000
Pirelli P7000
Yokohama AVS Sport
My goal is to maintain a nice ride, and keep the niose level to a minimum. I still want my GS to have a little luxury to it!! :) Which tires would do best for those purposes??

I'm going to run 245/40/18 all around. Is this a good choice?? I want to get a good amount of miles out of my tires and FYI I will be doing the L-Tuned Suspension Combo!!

Any suggestions on tires or sizes are welcomed. Personal experience will probably due best!!

==Justin==
Platinum 2G GS4

Justin,

Take a very close look at the Bridgestone RE730 in 245/40-18. They ride and sound better on my car than the stock 17" Bridgestone SO-2. I also recently got to test them out on one of my favorite Kentucky roads and they have VERY good dry traction. Other plusses that I have noted are no hydroplaning in the wet and zero tendency to follow ruts in the pavement. Not quite as inexpensive as the Nittos. Oh, and they do have a neat little rim protector molded into the sidewall.

Mitch Y2KGS4

I have to agree with Mitch. Currently we are having Bridgestone RE730 on my other car. It runs smooth and not much road noise.

If you go for 255/40, there will be less tire gap and softer ride than 245/40 but probably more expansive.

I'm use 245 on my GS.

i currently have 245/40/18 michelin pilots XGT Z4 and the ride and performance is way way better than it used to be with the original stock tires i had on it before (bridgestone turanza 215/60/16) if i remember correct. the michelins are quiter too. before the XGTs i had some michelin Pilot Sports on it and although the traction was the best i've experienced ever, the noise was louder than i liked so i went with the XGTs. sorry i couldn't tell you about other brands cause i've been strictly a michelin man all my life. :)

245/40/18 the best size

bridge re730
dunlop sp9000
TOYO T1-s

I think I'm gunna give the Bridgestone's a try!! :) They sound INCREDIBLE. They are priced well too.

Man, I don't know what I'd do without this site. Thanks milion guys for all the rapid responses. My rims and system should be going in within the next 4-6 weeks so I'll make sure to post LOTS OF PICS for everyone. Thanks again.

==Jusitn==
Platinum 2G GS4

S-03 is coming out soon and suppose to have the same price as S-02. :) That is another good option.

Not only is the S-03 going to have the same price, the treadwear rating is going to be higher then the S-02. I read in Autoweek (April 30th, 2001) that it was going to be 220 vs. the 140 UTQG for the S-02. According to the article the tire goes on sale in May and is available in 51 sizes from 15" - 20" diameters. Check out the article on page 5 if anyone gets Autoweek.

235/40 or 245/40 ??
 

I was wondering, what differences are there between a 235/40/18 tire and a 245/40/18 tire?? How much of a difference is there??

Milage?
Width?

==Justin==
Platinum 2G GS4

Diameter. 245 will give you less tire gap than 235. The difference is very small.

and width. 245 is 10mm wider than 235.

So your saying that the sidewall will be bigger on the 245's, right? Since the sidewall is bigger it is going to fill up the wheel well more. Well what if I went with 255/45/18 tires instead of 245/40/18. What would be the advantages and disadvantages??

The only thing I'm worried about with the 255/45's is that they will be TOO BULKY and look like SUV tires!!

I will be lowering my car with either the L-Tuned Package or Eibach Prokit lowering set. I want to ELIMINATE the UGLY gap between the tire and the top of the wheel well as much as possible. Would a 255/45 combo do that better than the 245/40??

I"m sorry for askin all these questions. I just want to get it right the first time!!

Thanks for all the replies...

==Justin==
Platinum 2G GS4

correct choice for final answer
 

255/45/18, too tall of a sidewall, too large of overall diameter, very few tyres to choose from. could ruin your suspension in the long run with too much tyre size altering from the factory spec. it has known to happen before.
:(
245/40/18 has been tested by many members, looks cool and handles great.

Eibach can only lower 1". If you want to eliminate the tire gap as much as possible, try H&R (1.4"), TEIN NA (160mm), TEIN HA (3") or APEXi WS (4").